100 athletes, delegates in sports meet fall ill

VIRAC, Catanduanes—Some 100 athletes, coaches and officials of the Naga City delegation to  Palarong Bicol were stricken by diarrhea days before the start of  the games set on Feb. 23-28 at  Catanduanes Athletic Complex here.

At least 67 of those who fell ill are athletes from the elementary and secondary level while 33 are adults. They were billeted at Virac Center Elementary School beginning Feb. 18 and started suffering from stomach pains two days after.

Dr. Aurora Daluro, epidemiologist of the Department of Health Center for Health Development in Bicol, said those who suffered from diarrhea were treated without requiring confinement.

The games, participated in by 12 delegations from various Bicol provinces, pushed through as scheduled yesterday.

Tests are being done to determine the source of diarrhea but an initial report submitted by provincial health officer Lubelia Sanchez to Gov. Joseph Cua said there were two possible sources of the contamination—dirty water or food. Fernan Gianan, Inquirer Southern Luzon